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Book >U2M£ 
Copyrights /?07 






COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



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Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2011 with funding from 
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http://www.archive.org/details/raysofthoughtpoeOOcurt 




3nsi> Eiauimt CCurtxss 















Rays of Thought 

By 

JOSIE DAYTON CURTISS 




MARENGO. ILLINOIS 


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Elgin, Illinois 

BRETHREN PUBLISHING HOUSE 

1907 








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This book is affectionately dedicated to my husband, 
Ifott, Ira ft. (EwctiBB 

and 

To my Parents in the World Invisible, 

ft*tL lEiifiija Bagimt 

and 

Jfianj Styittemisr* lagtutu 



CONTENTS 

A Climbing Rose, 105 

A Study from Nature, 150 

Booker T. Washington 20 

Baby Clothes, ..112 

Baby, 129 

Clear the Mind, 19 

Carnal Mind 26 

Cause and Effect, 46 

Eternal Love, 50 

Emotions, 78 

Evolution , 131 

Faith, 98 

Fair Columbia, , 122 

Growth, 55 

Grandfather's Place, .117 

Harmony, 113 

Invocation, 54 

I Came, 86 

Keep Sweet, 49 

Life's Evening, 23 

Love, 31 



Vlll CONTENTS 

Let Go, 109 

Man, 23 

My Father, 30 

Memory's Float, 34 

Nature's Melody, 38 

Nature's Laws' 79 

Nature's Lessons, 83 

Old-Fashioned Flowers, 15 

Our Ideal Home, 51 

Our Precedent, 135 

Parody 33 

Perfecting Law, 80 

Prayer, 81 

Race Suicide, 139 

Race Suicide, 140 

Supplication, 52 

Salvation, 54 

Shadows, 82 

Storms of the Soul, 115 

The Squirrels, 27 

Thought, 32 

The Song of Life, 56 

The Fable of the Butterfly, 84 

The Fable of the Polliwog, 91 

The Song of the City, 94 



CONTENTS IX 

The Dream City, 96 

The Journey of Life, 107 

The Judgment, 125 

Tlie Fable of the Locust, 126 

The Old and New, 154 

Winter in the Heart, 110 



PREFACE. 

Dear readers all, with kindness look, 
Then speak a word for this small book. 
It has been fed from springs above, 
And now is sent in faith and love ; 
A drift of thought through human mind, 
To cheer and lift and aid mankind. 
May its few rhymes help you to think, 
And lead you far from sorrow's brink, 
And may they please, like fairest rose, 
And, as you read, bring sweet repose. 

Josie Dayton Curtiss. 
Marengo, Illinois, 1907. 



RAYS OF THOUGHT. 

These nuts of thought have all been brought 
From trees so rife and full of life, 
'Twill give you luck each nut to shuck 
Then crack, and eat the inner meat. 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 



OLD-FASHIONED FLOWERS. 

The sweetest flowers, the old-time flowers, 
My senses fill with childhood hours, 
So thickly strewn, around the door, 
These beauties were, in days of yore. 

In memory's land, the gardens fair, 
Hold many things, so rich and rare, 
There velvet forms of pansies peep, 
From robes they wore in winter's sleep. 

Through blankets cold on frosty beds, 
The tulips thrust their lovely heads, 
And April breathes so cool and low, 
Where lilies of the valley grow. 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

Through all the years of life intense, 
There floats a pure and sweet incense, 
From flowers that were refreshed with dew, 
In iris beds my childhood knew. 

Upon the ground the myrtle creeps, 
O'er moss-grown plush, and swinging leaps 
To beauty, hide some timid flower, 
That lived and bloomed its shining hour. 

The pinks in rows so cheering bring 
The summer days, o'er laps of spring, 
Where gleaming sun and climbing peas, 
Are mingled with the bumblebees. 

The blue bells bow their jewel heads, 
And shade the " ragged-lady " beds 
Where dew-drops fall from dripping eaves, 
The poppies shed their drooping leaves. 

16 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

And glories paint a brilliant hue, 
With silver drops of morning dew, 
While " slippers " catch the sweets that fall 
From busy lips of bees that call. 

The amaranth and larkspurs loom 
In sightly lines of solid bloom, 
While ribbon-grass in rippling waves, 
Across the path of other days. 

A hollyhock the sun decoys 
To give it strength and equipoise, 
And asters grow and slowly rise, 
To grasp the light from later skies. 

The marigolds are firmly set, 
Between the beds of mignonette, 
And grape vines weave a rustic seat, 
Where roses bloom and hopvines meet. 

17 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

The old stone well, close-covered, lies 
'Neath growing grass and clover eyes, 
There sunflowers hang their golden heads, 
And, rooting, reach the water beds. 

In living fast, some flowers demand, 
And quickly sow prolific band, 
While living slips more slowly roll, 
From Calycanthus' loving soul. 

Subconscious mind, 'midst sun and storm, 
Evolving grows a higher form, 
With concepts fine e'en flowers must find, 
Maturing help from larger Mind. 



18 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

CLEAR THE MIND. 

Oh, clear the mind from dust and wrong, 
And sing a cheering, loving song, 
The corners sweep and clear the lanes 
And break old, clanging, rusty chains, 
Then snap the springs and cut the strings 
From sinful things that worry brings. 

c^» <<$• c5* 

APOTHEGM. 

When we let in God's holy sun, 

'Twill rush and tingle, 
Blend and mingle, until its work is done. 



19 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

BOOKER T. WASHINGTON. 

Our loved one fought, the royal George, 
And suffered long at Valley Forge, 
They broke in twain the English chain, 
Which gave to all our freedom's call 
In memory's name and battles won 
Through noble George, our Washington. 

When history tells the wonder story, 
Revealing truth in all its glory, 
A name and place and stricken race, 
Shall grow and thrive, and long survive, 
For near the first, our Nation's son, 
Shall stand the name, B. Washington. 

From lowly race, the most forlorn, 
He sought to pluck the painful thorn, 
Grown deep by hate and leaden weight 

20 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

Of years of sin ; then from the din 

Of war and strife arose the sun, 

With streams of light through Washington. 

Around his head a halo shines, 
Its glowing light of love entwines, 
The souls who slay the self, and pray 
For black and white, they kindly aid 
And help, along the battles won, 
In splendid deeds by Washington. 

Jehovah speed the coming time, 
By blotting out all sickening crime, 
That every class may safely pass, 
A most insane and saddening reign, 
And good deeds add to those begun 
And scattered long by Washington. 



21 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

While millions rise to bless his name, 
This southland son of growing fame, 
Who giveth heed with quickening speed 
To brothers need; each holy deed 
Shall onward flow when life is done 
And peaceful rests B. Washington. 

«£* «£• «5* 

APOTHEGM. 

Our finite minds are very small 
And spirit power the all in all. 
Like water drops that makes the sea, 
Thus I in thee, and thou in me, 
In currents strong we join the tide 
From earth, — with God abide, 

From Him we flow, 

To Him we go. 
22 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

LIFE'S EVENING. 

In aging years our house appears 
To close the eyes and close the ears, 
This mortal blight will new life light, 
To open up the inner sight. 

JC Jl jt 

MAN. 

Potential life seeks light in strife 
And forms the cast for man at last. 
Though well begun, he still is young, 
The seed is sown that may be grown 
Until the morn, when conscious born 
The soul shall strive, by purpose thrive, 
And count for man the work well done. 



23 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

YOUTH. 

Our story sung, by cycles told, 

Should count us young though ages old. 

J Jt JM 

COXSCIEXCE. 

Belonging to my pedigree, 
Is another one, the inner me, 
This pilot mine, on life's great sea, 
Is the kind of soul that I should be, 
By love and truth it tries to save 
From harmful ways, and helps me pave 
A path of right, for two of me 
By lights that shine from Calvary. 



24 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

FAITH. 

When we through faith true love shall clasp, 
Our hearts will fill with righteous flame, 
That burns out sin, the poison asp, 
And writes within our Father's name. 

t&* te& kc& 

APOTHEGMS. 

Foul habits that cling and the useless thing, 
And all that is low we should o'erthrow. 

By leaving no sting, we help the world sing 
Through life as we go, rich blessings bestow. 

J* 

The earth is stained with thousands maimed, 

And deeply paved with men enslaved, 

When they will deal in blades of steel, 

Though roads of thought, through blood are bought. 

25 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

CARNAL MIND. 

The carnal mind, like dogs in the street, 
May be well trained, or vile to meet, 
When'er its bound to shake its fur, 
Tis well to watch, to watch the cur. 

It should be chained to kennel stake, 
The strongest one that man can make, 
To bind and hold the groveling mind 
And safer make the human kind. 

j* j* ^» 

APOTHEGM. 

Repent, Repent, words heaven sent, 
A sweet refrain within the soul, 
That will relieve, so do not grieve, 
But, reaching, take the Lord's reprieve. 

26 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

THE SQUIRRELS. 

Oh hear the squirrels' chickoree, 
And note the change from key to key, 
When from their loft of sweet repose, 
Approaching near, are real foes, 
Away they go in whirling line 
To highest cones in towering pines. 

Their trysting place and summer nest, 

Where'er squirrel babes were rocked to rest. 

By instincts fine, they note the call 

Of colder days, in coming fall, 

To make a home where winter's cold, 

Will find no place within their fold. 

Their cradle home they need no more, 
So leave it lone till winter's o'er, 
Oh how they paw and gather leaves, 

27 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

And bind them up in little sheaves, 
Then up they mount to chimney nest 
On cedar springs and leaves they rest. 

How wise they are to find each day 
A time to work, to skip and play, 
While native joys they oft repeat 
As quickly fly their little feet 
From pine to pine, to chimney nest, 
Where love has made a home so blest. 

How spry they are, these forest kittens, 
In warm fur coats and red fur mittens, 
They pick the leaves and swiftly go, 
From branch to branch, now high, soon low, 
In joyous life they fondly play, 
And hide their food from day to day. 



28 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

Their woodland mates so oft appear, 
From forest homes and give us cheer, 
In sprightly ways, with charming ease, 
They fling the bark upon the breeze, 
Or quickly dance the highland fling, 
As round and round the trees they cling. 

They hurry by, and away they fly, 
To bury nuts in pocket huts, 
And then they paw, and scrape, and claw, 
And sometimes eat of winter's meat. 
To some new place they skip and race, 
With never a flag in games of tag, 
And thus they play from day to day, 
Unfurling tails, and hoarding bales 
Of nestling stuff for winter's muff, 
In their day gown they cuddle down 
When shades of night put out the light, 
They sweetly rest within their nest. 

29 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 



MY FATHER. 

" Just as I am," with every plea, 
Why spirit lands were made for me, 
For these I love the deeds are filed 
In my estate, for love designed, 
Created me my Father's child. 
In believing now I hear the tone 
That leads me to a holy throne. 

Jm Jm Jm 

APOTHEGM. 

Oh men of earth, give lengthy lines, 
And welcome birth to seeking minds, 
Some Herschel may with shining stars, 
Transfer a light from earth to Mars. 



30 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

LOVE, 

Pure love and calm, a healing balm, 
That we should pour on every sore^ 
In righteous deal a nation heal. 
Then wrong would flee, without one plea, 
For kindest grace would fill its place, 
And break the chains where hate remains, 
With love's increase, a righteous lease 
Would hold the day for wisdom's way. 

*?• «5» J* 

APOTHEGM. 

The soul of a tree is well begun 
When its earth-life is fully run, 
Unconscious of its own degree, 
In forests of eternity. 

31 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

THOUGHT. 

A world of thought is mine to hold, 
'Tis full of wealth, of sparkling gold, 
In this fair land the prospects lead, 
Where silver streams, wash off the mold, 
And riches fill my every need, 
For there is naught the kingdom lacks 
If I will use my pick and ax. 

•_j» j* «^» 

APOTHEGM. 

When thought shall stir the mighty deep 
And moving rise with thrilling sweep, 
Tis spirit, in unfolding leap, 
Like foals in long and growing sleep, 
Prescribed it moves, upon its course, 
By given law from God, the source. 

32 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 



PARODY. 

Little drops of wisdom, with real grains of sand, 
Make a mighty ocean and a wondrous land. 



Excavate ! Investigate ! 
Emanate! Inoculate! Perpetuate! 



We hear the rattle of a snake 
Within the soul; we poison take, 
Or heed the rattle and win the battle, 
Of life partake. 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 



MEMORY'S FLOAT. 

On memory's float there oft appears, 
The pleasing scenes of other days, 

In pictures of the fleeting years, 
Where souls have grown though age decays. 



On memory's float are clear, blue skies, 
And roses with their incense sweet. 

There self-sown flowers in beauty rise, 
Where southernwood and tansy meet. 



On memory's float a searching look, 

(Where children with the pebbles play,) 

Reveals a rippling meadow brook, 
That floats their paper boats away, 

34 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

On memory's float are things that call 
Up cherished hopes, there fossils lie 

In beauty grown, like leaves of fall, 
They teach us life, in passing by. 



On memory's float the sunset plays 
O'er meadows sweet, where birds most shy, 

'Neath ripening sheaves in harvest days 
Will join in, with the " mowett " cry. 



On memory's float are lowing kine. 

In drawing near the haunts of men, 
They hasten in their plodding line 

With quickening tingle now and then. 



35 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

On memory's float the rainy days, 

With birds, and bees, and twilight hours, 

Are mingled in a misty haze, 

With shades of night and summer showers. 



On memory's float are misty eyes, 

Where visions, drawn from days of yore, 

Reflect the kindest, sweetest ties, 
On childhood's fast-receding shore. 



On memory's float the church bells chime 
With echoes from the woodland hills. 

And rustling leaves, in pantomime, 
Join evening notes with whip-poor-wills. 



36 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

On memory's float are loved ones dear, 
Their voices call and help each day, 

Through walls of thought they help to cheer, 
And lead us to the King's highway. 

^W ?(5* tO* 

APOTHEGM. 

You cannot grow the tip of a wing 

Within the bounds of a narrow thing, 

So do not crush your tune and time 

To fit the form of another's rhyme. 

Or crowd yourself within a box 

And bind with creeds and cover with locks, 

A stricken soul is hard to save 

From the tinder box of a self-made grave. 



37 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 



NATURE'S MELODY. 

The storm-clouds gather, gather and blacken, 
They roar and they pour, they slacken and slacken. 
The forces of nature in progress sway 
From the centers of wisdom, showing the way. 

Jehovah is working, brief is His rest, 
In changes of form creation is blest, 
In royal splendor He works each day, 
As the path of the tempest pushes its way. 



Through North-wind's cold or the simoon's breath, 
Or hot, pouring lava o'er visions of death. 
The mind of the Master is working each day 
In His own, His own remarkable way. 



38 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

The seasons of earth, the spring and the fall, 
The young and the old, how beautiful all. 
The agents of nature are speeding away, 
For the Master of wisdom is working to-day. 



The Creator of all brings life from decay, 
While sharps and flats are tearing away. 
The orchestra of nature must somewhere chord, 
For the music is written, attuned by the Lord. 



Combining all parts in a wonderful plan, 
That includes in the making a marvelous man, 
Whose spirit at last with the Master will stay, 
If he joins in His work and learns to pray. 



39 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

Though his feet are on earth, and his soul in bands, 
His orbits of life are in mystical lands, 
These are drawing him hither with love to sway, 
From earthly things, that crumble away. 

The child of the Lord must sometime attain 
An eminence befitting Emanuel's reign, 
Where thraldoms of earth no longer hold sway 
For the man who has found the glorious way. 

%0* t&B 100 

APOTHEGM. 

Life, Life, 
Unceasing and rife, 
Is seeking in strife 
For life, more life. 

40 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

APOTHEGMS. 

When travil pains attend the birth 
Of valued thoughts that come to earth, 
Some flashing gems shall crown the morn 
That ushers in the newly born. 



Jehovah's plan gave lease of life 
To lowly man, and bade him grow, 
Through roots of earth, and living sow, 
When cycles old in higher birth 
Perfected buds of beauty blow. 



The ghosts of weak and former selves 
May oft arise and sometimes slay, 
The values of a life to-day. 

41 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

APOTHEGMS. 

The knock of Fate tapped at man's gate 
It opened wide with Fate inside, 
And then Fate saw that man his law, 
Should well control, his growing soul. 



The rabid crowd cry out some loss, 
Then nail the thinkers to the cross 
Through changing thought, the light shall 

make 
Some other age the false forsake. 
And truth shall flow, from vintage trod, 
When'er men see the place of God. 



42 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

APOTHEGMS. 

In eastern land the Buddha planned 
For greater light in India's night, 
True life he sought, and wisely taught 
That he who gives most truly lives. 



In fear we hurry, and live in worry, 
With voice of thunder let us now sunder 
This baneful foe, this vulture of woe. 



If melody is not thy fate, 
And thou are not a Wagner great, 
Just cheer some weary soul along 
By giving a most simple song. 

43 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

APOTHEGMS. 

For mind undimmed there oft awaits, 
A print so pure and superfine, 
It shall endure because Divine. 



If we but fill the active brain 

With noble thoughts, it will contain, 

A holy link to heaven caught, 

To chain the beasts of lower thought. 



Bridle your thought on life's race course, 
Guide by your will this great resource, 
Slacken the rein, you lose control, 
And injure body's unripe soul. 

-14 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

• APOTHEGMS. 

Disperse the clouds from mortal mind, 
Erase dark blots of every kind, 
For highest art to paint a scene, 
The canvas must be pure and clean. 



The saddest note the hunter heard, 
Came thrilling from a wounded bird ; 
Beneath his feet the flowers he crushed, 
Could ne'er repeat their incense sweet. 
So sweet. 



If you bestow the crystal snow, 
Then do not grieve when you receive 
The only yield from your cold field. 

45 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

CAUSE AND EFFECT. 

Cause and effect, effect and cause, 
The working of Jehovah's laws, 
Are not from chance ; they work each day 
That souls may grow within the clay. 

Cause and effect, effect and cause, 
Are forming man by wisest laws, 
They teach him on his own pathway 
By work that's done by him each day. 

Cause and effect, effect and cause, 
All come to man through force of laws, 
In course of time the onward move, 
Will form its own especial groove. 

Cause and effect, effect and cause, 
Though right or wrong are made of laws 

46 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

By righteous choice we cause effect 
And strengthen soul to sin reject. 

Cause and effect, effect and cause, 
Will teach the need of Godly laws, 
Their values come in timely hours 
As man shall use his growing powers. 

Cause and effect, effect and cause, 
Are training souls to know the laws. 
The working of the Artist's plan 
Evolves at last a marvelous man. 

Cause and effect, effect and cause, 
Are moulding man by powerful laws. 
In time fulfilled, by boundless sight, 
Man shall perceive the central light. 



47 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

Cause and effect, effect and cause, 
Are training man through God's own laws, 
When to the Center man returns, 
His added light, united, burns. 

to* «<£* to* 

APOTHEGMS. 

When sense is fed, and strongly wed, 
To things of clay, they'll break some day, 
Then tumbling walls, and structure falls 
To light the road. Construct a mode 
On larger line, for buildings fine, 
And thus ensouled, true being mould. 

From nights of sleep, the sunbeams peep, 
Thus on they creep through darkest night, 
Their tryst to keep, a world to light. 

48 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

KEEP SWEET. 

When sects and creeds in confusion shall crash 

'Tis well to keep sweet with thy friend and brother, 

However we differ, be kind to each other, 

The rubbish of years, is enthralling us all 

When loads are too heavy, then something must fall, 

In throwing off freight and lessening the weight 

Of rivers of blood, and ages of hate, 

'Tis well to keep busy with love and be true, 

Then God in His wisdom will carry us through. 

$5* ta& t&& 

APOTHEGM. 

Love is all that man contains, 

When free from sin and ire, 
Then man with God in heaven remains, 

Immersed in holy fire. 

49 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 



ETERNAL LOVE. 

When thoughts, like snow, have heavenly birth, 
They freely sow their flakes on earth. 

If rocks of mind receive them not, 
They, failing, find no fallow spot. 

Still nature holds, their power of life, 
They may unfold in later strife. 

Good thoughts shall whirl in beauty bands, 
And living, purl o'er sunlit lands — 

To bless us all, as melting snow, 

At nature's call makes blossoms grow. 

50 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

CLEAR THE MIND. 

Oh, clear the mind from dust and wrong, 
And sing a cheering, loving song, 
The corners sweep and clear the lanes 
And break old, clanging, rusty chains, 
Then snap the springs and cut the strings 
From sinful things that worry brings. 

IC* <c* {£• 

APOTHEGM. 

When we let in God's holy sun, 

'Twill rush and tingle, 
Blend and mingle, until its work is done. 



19 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

BOOKER T. WASHINGTON. 

Our loved one fought, the royal George, 
And suffered long at Valley Forge, 
They broke in twain the English chain, 
Which gave to all our freedom's call 
In memory's name and battles won 
Through noble George, our Washington. 

When history tells the wonder story, 
Revealing truth in all its glory, 
A name and place and stricken race, 
Shall grow and thrive, and long survive, 
For near the first, our Nation's son, 
Shall stand the name, B. Washington. 

From lowly race, the most forlorn, 
He sought to pluck the painful thorn, 
Grown deep by hate and leaden weight 

20 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

Of years of sin ; then from the din 

Of war and strife arose the sun, 

With streams of light through Washington. 

Around his head a halo shines, 
Its glowing light of love entwines, 
The souls who slay the self, and pray 
For black and white, they kindly aid 
And help, along the battles won, 
In splendid deeds by Washington. 

Jehovah speed the coming time, 
By blotting out all sickening crime, 
That every class may safely pass, 
A most insane and saddening reign, 
And good deeds add to those begun 
And scattered long by Washington. 



21 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

While millions rise to bless his name, 
This southland son of growing fame, 
Who giveth heed with quickening speed 
To brother's need; each holy deed 
Shall onward flow when life is done 
And peaceful rests B. Washington. 

S J* & 

APOTHEGM. 

Our finite minds are very small 
And spirit power the all in all. 
Like water drops that makes the sea, 
Thus I in thee, and thou in me, 
In currents strong we join the tide 
From earth, — with God abide, 

From Him we flow, 

To Him we go. 
22 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

LIFE'S EVENING. 

In aging years our house appears 
To close the eyes and close the ears, 
This mortal blight will new life light, 
To open up the inner sight. 

& .* jt 

MAN. 

Potential life seeks light in strife 
And forms the cast for man at last. 
Though well begun, he still is young, 
The seed is sown that may be grown 
Until the morn, when conscious born 
The soul shall strive, by purpose thrive, 
And count for man the work well done. 



23 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

YOUTH. 

Our story sung, by cycles told. 

Should count us young though ages old. 

Ji j$ Jl 

COXSCIEXCE. 

Belonging to my pedigree, 
Is another one, the inner me, 
This pilot mine, on life's great sea, 
Is the kind of soul that I should be. 
By love and truth it tries to save 
From harmful ways, and helps me pave 
A path of right, for two of me 
By lights that shine from Calvary. 



24 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

FAITH. 

When we through faith true love shall clasp, 
Our hearts will fill with righteous flame, 
That burns out sin, the poison asp, 
And writes within our Father's name. 

j* j* <$* 

APOTHEGMS. 

Foul habits that cling and the useless thing, 
And all that is low we should o'erthrow. 

By leaving no sting, we help the world sing 
Through life as we go, rich blessings bestow. 

The earth is stained with thousands maimed, 

And deeply paved with men enslaved, 

When they will deal in blades of steel, 

Though roads of thought, through blood are bought. 

25 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

CARNAL MIND. 

The carnal mind, like dogs in the street, 
May be well trained, or vile to meet, 
When'er its bound to shake its fur, 
Tis well to watch, to watch the cur. 

It should be chained to kennel stake, 
The strongest one that man can make, 
To bind and hold the groveling mind 
And safer make the human kind. 

Jm ijt J0 

APOTHEGM. 

Repent, Repent, words heaven sent, 
A sweet refrain within the soul, 
That will relieve, so do not grieve, 
But, reaching, take the Lord's reprieve. 

26 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

THE SQUIRRELS. 

Oh hear the squirrels' chickoree, 
And note the change from key to key, 
When from their loft of sweet repose, 
Approaching near* are real foes, 
Away they go in whirling line 
To highest cones in towering pines. 

Their trysting place and summer nest, 

Where'er squirrel babes were rocked to rest. 

By instincts fine, they note the call 

Of colder days, in coming fall, 

To make a home where winter's cold, 

Will find no place within their fold. 

Their cradle home they need no more, 
So leave it lone till winter's o'er, 
Oh how they paw and gather leaves, 

27 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

And bind them up in little sheaves, 
Then up they mount to chimney nest 
On cedar springs and leaves they rest. 

How wise they are to find each day 
A time to work, to skip and play, 
While native joys they oft repeat 
As quickly fly their little feet 
From pine to pine, to chimney nest, 
Where love has made a home so blest. 

How spry they are, these forest kittens, 
In warm fur coats and red fur mittens, 
They pick the leaves and swiftly go, 
From branch to branch, now high, soon low, 
In joyous life they fondly play, 
And hide their food from day to day. 



28 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

Their woodland mates so oft appear, 
From forest homes and give us cheer, 
In sprightly ways, with charming ease, 
They fling the bark upon the breeze, 
Or quickly dance the highland fling, 
As round and round the trees they cling. 

They hurry by, and away they fly, 
To bury nuts in pocket huts, 
And then they paw, and scrape, and claw, 
And sometimes eat of winter's meat. 
To some new place they skip and race, 
With never a flag in games of tag, 
And thus they play from day to day, 
Unfurling tails, and hoarding bales 
Of nestling stuff for winter's muff, 
In their day gown they cuddle down 
When shades of night put out the light, 
They sweetly rest within their nest. 

29 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 



MY FATHER. 

" Just as I am," with every plea, 
Why spirit lands were made for me, 
For these I love the deeds are filed 
In my estate, for love designed, 
Created me my Father's child. 
In believing now I hear the tone 
That leads me to a holy throne. 

«,$• t^m J* 

APOTHEGM. 

Oh men of earth, give lengthy lines, 
And welcome birth to seeking minds, 
Some Herschel may with shining stars, 
Transfer a light from earth to Mars. 



30 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

LOVE. 

Pure love and calm, a healing balm, 
That we should pour on every sora^ 
In righteous deal a nation heal. 
Then wrong would flee, without one plea, 
For kindest grace would fill its place, 
And break the chains where hate remains, 
With love's increase, a righteous lease 
Would hold the day for wisdom's way. 

*?• «J» «5* 

APOTHEGM. 

The soul of a tree is well begun 
When its earth-life is fully run, 
Unconscious of its own degree, 
In forests of eternity. 

31 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

THOUGHT. 

A world of thought is mine to hold, 
Tis full of wealth, of sparkling gold, 
In this fair land the prospects lead, 
Where silver streams, wash off the mold, 
And riches fill my every need, 
For there is naught the kingdom lacks 
If I will use my pick and ax. 

t&fr && t&~ 

APOTHEGM. 

When thought shall stir the mighty deep 
And moving rise with thrilling sweep, 
Tis spirit, in unfolding leap, 
Like foals in long and growing sleep, 
Prescribed it moves, upon its course, 
By given law from God, the source. 

32 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 



PARODY. 

Little drops of wisdom, with real grains of sand, 
Make a mighty ocean and a wondrous land. 



Excavate ! Investigate ! 
Emanate! Inoculate! Perpetuate! 



We hear the rattle of a snake 
Within the soul; we poison take, 
Or heed the rattle and win the battle, 
Of life partake. 



33 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 



MEMORY'S FLOAT. 

On memory's float there oft appears, 
The pleasing scenes of other days, 

In pictures of the fleeting years, 

Where souls have grown though age decays. 



On memory's float are clear, blue skies, 
And roses with their incense sweet. 

There self-sown flowers in beauty rise, 
Where southernwood and tansy meet. 



On memory's float a searching look, 

(Where children with the pebbles play,) 

Reveals a rippling meadow brook, 
That floats their paper boats away, 



34 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

As discords cease in coming time, 
And souls shall seek their rightful clime, 
When love controls the world below, 
Then larger shall our visions grow. 

If we would live in heaven fair, 
We must obey; God's life to share, 
For laws of truth and laws of right, 
Unbar the doors to realms of light. 

From problems old and problems new, 
Reject the false, and hold the true, 
The things of value are not wrought 
In places where there is no thought. 

In earthly life's far-reaching day, 
We learn by work, by pain by play, 

67 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

To seek the glory that's unfurled 
From banners of another world. 

By faith we sail, and sometimes we 
Behold a light across the sea, 
And hear a voice within the mind, 
No longer deaf, no longer blind. 

When love and will control the day, 
We'll join with God and with Him stay, 
Thus changing notes of sad refrains 
To learn the songs of higher planes. 

Through mind untaught we came to birth, 
'Midst toil and pain we grow on earth. 
In fullness of a wiser time 
We, seeking, find a life sublime. 

68 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

Through nature's forge we all must pass, 
A most ill-shapen, molten mass, 
From blow to blow the echoes ring, 
That give us form while angels sing. 

And shall not we, with life's fair spark, 
The tracing lines in beauty mark, 
Where God has stilled all earthly din, 
His own dear child to save from sin? 

When rooted deep, in earthly sense, 
Though strongly bound by cords intense; 
We pilgrims are, en route for glory, 
The things we love unfold our story. 

With Pilot Faith, with rudder Hope, 

Through rocks and reefs, with storms we cope, 

69 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

A loving Hand has manned our boat 
And bade it on the waters float. 

Through journeys lone, we oft are led, 
To leave the crowd and march ahead, 
Our highest thoughts we should not hide, 
If we become the crucified. 

For reflex light from higher planes, 
Increases faith in broad domains, 
Where loving prayers shall find a shrine, 
With welcome gleams from love Divine. 

The life from our Creator, God, 

Like growing grain will break the sod. 

The life that's sown, though quite concealed, 

In harvest time will be revealed. 



70 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

Through laws of love in spirit we 
Shall know the Master Chemist, He, 
Discarding chaff, must victory bring, 
With highest art, crown man a king. 

t5» «J» «J» 

APOTHEGMS. 

Every day some treasure lay 

Across the way, 
In worlds unknown, that you alone 

May claim your own. 



Dame Nature does her work below 
By sun and rain and winds that blow, 
The frosts of fall assist the type 
And paint the fruit in beauty ripe. 

71 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

APOTHEGMS. 

In forming thought the pictures roll. 
From things we build within the soul. 
These thought designs will give n : rest 
Till finest an with love is blest. 



When wrong is done by friend or foe 
U yon receive the cyclone's blow, 
Just work and pray, make it your fate, 
Their souls to love, though i m you hate. 



Vibrating thought., a tuneful lyre, 
If uncontrolled, a flame of fire. 
That drops the soul in earthly mire 
Or scorching. _ ; ci:es ::■ ^end us trigher. 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

APOTHEGMS. 

If we would well and richly live, 
We must in love all wrongs forgive, 
And in the heart most deeply feel 
Another's hope, his woe or weal. 



'Tis well to grieve if ye receive 

A larger light, it helps the sight, 
If ye repent when ye lament. 



The clearer seeing of inmost being, 
Becomes our portion 
When we guard well, the souls emotion. 

73 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

APOTHEGMS. 

From branching boughs the birds both bore, 
A sprig :: spruce with strings a score, 
7: bmld and blend with blessings best 

For birdlings new the nicer, nest 



The righrecui way rr.es: surely rive ; 
True life for man when earth man lives. 
In paths of right, by logic lies 
True life for man when earth man dies. 



If more of life, we wish to live. 

Then we should know that all men draw. 
(When they have I tamed to vise*, give 

From cor.-.perisati:r."s trusty law. 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

APOTHEGMS. 

The fate of Sodom early taught 
Jehovah's laws will oft efface 

The wicked men who long have brought 
Unhallowed deeds upon their race. 



If we accept; we quite allow 

The golden rule, would life endow, 

And give us wealth we have not now. 



When we shall learn that worlds are we 
The Father's law our rhythmic key, 
These bodies, now so weak and torn, 
Shall balance then, and be less worn. 

75 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

APOTHEGMS. 

Dear Father, I pray, to be Thine each day 
I'll listen so still and obey Thy will. 

J* 

In spacious rooms are jewels wrought, 
In finest forms of human thought. 



We need relief from strife and noise, 
And in its place more equipoise. 



Within my heart this story sings, 
The love of all created things. 



76 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

APOTHEGMS. 

By living here, in schools of time, 
We lessons learn for worlds sublime. 



When we aspire, by living higher, 
Our strong desire draws holy fire. 



Hasten now, with all thy speed, 
To help thy brother in his need. 



Discouraged, we revert to type, 
And fail to see we are unripe. 

77 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 



EMOTIONS. 

Emotions wear and then they tear, 

Upon life's sea 
They rise and bubble and give us trouble, 

Where'er we may be. 



They give no peace or kind release, 

Where'er they roll, 
Until we say, " They must obey, 

For we control." 



78 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

NATURES LAWS. 

Immutable law is designed to save, 
Tis only rubbish that goes to the grave. 
When soul and spirit are tuned the same, 
We then shall cease to be blind or lame. 

By obeying laws higher in wisdom we choose, 
By seeking the lower we then must loose, 
Thus lost in the valley we wander alone, 
Though the Shepherd is calling, calling His own. 

fc?* ?(5* fe?* 

APOTHEGM. 

When love upon its mission goes, 

Then it forever flows, 
And will disturb the worst of foes, 

And heal a world of woes. 

79 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

PERFECTING LAW. 

Through strokes of pain our life still clings 

As to and fro the pendulum swings, 

Mechanical law, controlled by mind, 

Is giving the hours to all mankind. 

And guiding with a helpful hand, 

The forces from the higher land. 

The pendulum swings and swings away, 

A thousand years, but part of a day — 

To form, mature, complete, refine, 

The souls of men, — make them Divine. 

«£» t,S» tJw 

How fast the flowers of posy come 

From worlds unknown; subconscious lore 

To light the mind, once weak and dumb, 
Upon its long, long waiting shore. 

80 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 



PRAYER. 

Unseeing we stand 

In depths of being, 
Near heaven's fair land. 



Dear Father, expand 
Our inmost being. 
By faith, in Thy land — 

We reach for Thy hand 

To steady our being 
So near to new land. 



81 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

SHADOWS. 

Sometimes the thoughts, of long ago 
While flashing by, go moaning low, 
Through weary years, the soul has worn 
These garments stained, and badly torn. 

When will-o-'wisps with sad refrain 
Bring us the things we now disdain. 
We beat them back to restless flight 
To seek the shade of longer night. 

t3& *2& t^* 

APOTHEGM. 

To learn from the fathers, a fine decision; 
Enslaved by them, a cause for derision. 

82 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

NATURE'S LESSON. 

Through cycling years a tree once grew, 
In time it bore fruit fresh and new, 
And when this stage had passed away 
Its broadening leaves for many a day 
Would shelter men in weary pain. 
It changed its shape, more life to gain 
Then fleeting years brought it at last 
To give its form to nature past, 
But who shall say that death's cold frost 
Hath killed its life? Life is not lost! 

<£• «*• «*• 

APOTHEGM. 

In writing a book, like tilling soil, 
The value comes by work and toil. 

83 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 



THE FABLE OF THE BUTTERFLY. 

When sun had kissed the morning mist, 
One summer morn, upon a thorn, 
I once espied with beauty dyed — 

A Butterfly, 
Who was so wise, he reasoned, " Why 
Should he be he, and I be I ? " 
He fluttered round, denouncing me 
In words of quaint, derisive glee, 
And said he would the mystery probe 
Or cease to wear his gilded robe, 
A fraud was I, a thief, said he, 
Who plundered sweets from honey bee, 
Then, waxing hot, he wavered not, 
But did insist, and called the list, 
And names he piled in chaos wild, 
Then asked me why I was so shy 

84 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

Of wearing crepe for Grandpa Ape. 
Then loud cried he, " Low pedigree." 

^S ^s * * * 

Then on he flew to sip the dew 
And break his fast. Iconoclast 
Was he, who " pied " my rising pride — 

Rash Butterfly. 
He was so wise, he reasoned why 
Should he be he, and I be I. 

?*5* &5* c5* 

APOTHEGM. 

Birth and death we need them both, 
These laws of life are laws of growth. 
Through these we seek and find the goal 
" The lily work " perfects our soul. 

85 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

/ CAME. 

From storms that swell where billows fall, 
And splendors awe ; a part of all — 

From these I came, I came. 

From cliffs of stone and beds of ore, 
From trembling crags, where oceans roar — 

From these I came, I came. 

From bursting flames and breaking rocks 
My life spark grew, through earthquake shocks- 
From these I came, I came. 

From silver waves, on waters deep, 
Life's cradles rocked me, fast asleep — 

From these I came, I came. 

86 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

From cups of pearl, in sun-lit showers, 
From ihlang trees with fragrant flowers — 

From these I came, I came. 



From nature notes, when life was young, 
From thrilling tunes for birdlings sung — 

From these I came, I came. 



From Scottish moors, where merlins roam 
And shyly seek their evening home — 

From these I came, I came. 



From lion's roar and tiger's leap, 
From aging life, embalmed in sleep — 

From these I came, I came. 



87 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

From sparkling stars, from worlds above, 
My spirit came through laws of love — 

From these I came, I came. 



From all of life that passed away, 
Through fleeting years, that brought decay — 
From these I came, I came. 



From centuries all, I am a part, 

Of life that flowed from God's own heart — 

From these I came, I came. 



Unconscious life in onward roll, 
Began to seek its distant goal — 

As on I came, I came. 

88 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

My spirit robed in beauty dust, 
By one I love, in whom I trust — 

From him I came, I came. 



From matter dark my Father brought 
His child, his heir, and wisdom taught — 

From where I came, I came. 



God's love sent me in earthly mould 
To form a worthy soul I hold — 

For this I came, I came. 



This ego, me, in forward march, 

Is building, building a heavenly arch — 

From where I came, I came. 

89 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

Th« breath of life was given me 

To grow divine and make me free — 

For this I came, I came. 

A destiny in holy land 

For love of me was early planned — 

For this I came, I came. 

My Father's life, by it I see, 

As child of his he dwells in me — 

From love I came, I came. 

(5* *2& v* 

APOTHEGM. 

So oft we grasp, the sharpened things 
To cut the path that wisdom brings. 

90 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

THE FABLE OF THE POLLIWOG. 

One morn I met a polliwog, 

As down he sat upon a log, — 

His metamorphic story told, 

From days of protoplastic mould. 

His life in bogs one moaning wail, 

About his fast-absorbing tail. 

A weary dirge, a funeral knell, 

From lower life, where laws compel, 

A simple, sad and lowly wog, 

To live again a croaking frog. 



I saw him born. That very morn, 
He winked an eye, then heaved a sigh 
And looked at me, his fate's decree, 
And then he asked, "Are you a cask? 

91 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

And have you dined, and are you kind? 
And can you tell the road to — heaven, 
Is earth's outfit for vou, the ' It ' ? 



Are you the orb to quite absorb, 
In final haul, the great and small? 
The strangest thing, are you a king? " 
He would be frank and ask point blank, 
"If you ate me and I not you 
If you were king, what would you do? 
If I should help to house your soul 
And give it strength to reach its goal, 
When you are king, will you atone 
For unkind seed that you have sown? 
If I should die, for you a fry, 
Shall I, be I? Will you dwell high? " 



92 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

My nature winced; I was convinced 

And did declare, " I'll play THEE fair 

To life I'll cling, so when I'm King 

I'll give thee chance, thy joy enhance, 

My life I'll share and deal THEE square — 

Some splendid things which old earth brings 

To all her kind, who have a mind 

To help and cheer, while living here. 

" So you may croak and hop along, 

Contented with this thankful song 

That all things made, to grow through change, 

In ripening forms God's laws arrange 

That self, for self, shall not alloy 

In worlds of love and peace and joy." 



93 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

THE SONG OF THE CITY. 

Like sands on the beach, the old and the young, 
In the heart of a city are ruthlessly flung. 

What lessons they teach, the restless throng, 
In the heart of a city, they hurry along. 

And never can find, or once commune, 

In the heart of a city, with nature's tune. 

It is hard to reach, for what man needs, 
In the heart of a city of unkind deeds. 

While lands on the beach are covered with coals, 
From the heart of a city's sin-stricken souls — 

94 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

These souls on the beach are caught in whirls 
From the heart of a city's valued pearls, — 

On life's stormy beach in sorrow they're flung 
From every great city, unknown and unsung. 



%2& *3& %p* 



APOTHEGM. 

The winter frost releases the nut 

From bonds, of the shuck, 

A life on earth, o'erweary with pain, 
Must somehow sustain, 

In breaking its cell, relations of thought 
To nuts in the shell. 

95 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

THE DREAM CITY. 

There are walls of jasper and floors of gold, 
That glisten in beauty and riches untold. 

And paradise rooms of wonderful lore, 
Bid welcome to all who search and explore. 



In palaces fine abideth the just, 
In places fair of sacred trust. 

There love and joy, forever remain 

No blight, or sorrow, or grief, or pain. 

No hunger or want there leaves its mark, 
To join with death in shadows dark. 



96 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

tor a beautiful boat, inlaid with pity, 

Is laden with love, and moored in the city. 

To carry the spirit away from earth, 
To palaces fair for heavenly birth. 

Where man from life has something learned, 
With added power he is returned. 

In realms of ether he then unfolds 
In regal splendor with other souls. 

In the City of Dreams, true wisdom may scan, 
The wonderful plan of evolving man. 



97 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

FAITH. 

The isle of mind in God's great sea, 

A kingdom fine belongs to me. 

He dwelleth there, the One Most High — 

And so do I. 



This wonder land, so broad and deep, 

Though damp with tears when sorrows leap, 

To wreck our joy, 'tis gain to try — 

And lift the I. 



The worst of foes we can efface, 
For faith and work and loving grace 
Abiding now, and bye and bye — 

Will help the I. 

98 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

On his strong arm I gladly lean, 
This friend of mine by spirit seen 
To me He comes, His weary child — 

And rests the I. 



In growth of life we shall be blest, 

The One Most Wise, who knoweth best, 

Caused us to be, He draweth night — 

His child am I. 



When Spirit pure is undefiled, 

By faith and birth, his friend and child 

Is bound to Him by love's own tie — 

At peace am I. 



99 



kP&FC 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

The mind should dwell in sunshine bright, 

Reflecting God in truthful light; 

In His great heart my soul must lie — 

The ego I. 



He speaks to me in undertone; 
" Thy life am I, be not alone," 
I am His child, and this is why — 

He loves the I. 

In sorrow's dark and troubled hour, 
There comes a swift, uplifting power, 
Who twines with loving thought a tie — 

To keep the I. 



100 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

APOTHEGMS. 

Our Father's hand is on the helm 
That leads us to a higher realm. 



Such babes are we; that unconcealed 
The priceless gems lie unrevealed. 



If giant souls we wish to be, 

Then from our sins we must be free. 



Uplift your soul, its power for right 
Will chain the carnal appetite. 

101 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

APOTHEGMS. 

From blighting wrongs we are immune, 
When right as might, the life chords tune. 

A thought unfurled will send a rocket, 
To light the world, or rocks to block it. 



The conscious mind will yet explore 
Sub conscious fields of mental ore. 



Art is beauty ripe 

In forms of highest type. 

102 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

APOTHEGMS. 

Be bound to win. From soul efface 
The seeds of sin, and plant in grace. 



Of strength we'er shorn by small things rife, 
And sadly worn and robbed of life. 



All sin will blur, and help us land, 
When we concur, in life's quicksand. 



Foul thoughts deface and then disgrace 
And blot and roll upon the soul. 

103 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

APOTHEGMS. 

Dear Father, I pray, illumine my way, 
That I may not stray from Thy ways to-day. 



Thy journey make and upward climb, 
And mount sometime, to worlds sublime. 



In some kind way, give cheer to-day. 



The universe, in travail groans, 

While growing life atones, 

By blooming near the angel thrones. 

104 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 
A CLIMBING ROSE. 

A FABLE. 

A climbing rose so comely grew, 

In sweet repose, and little knew 

It formed a part of beauty rife, 

From one great Heart, that fed its life. 

With shining sun and sparkling dew, 
The work was done, by love so true, 
In fusing these in beauty scene, 
The eye to please, it grew serene. 

This climbing vine with leaves so new, 
They helped to tint the roses' hue ; 
In clusters fair, so thick and dense, 
True beauty lent to every sense. 

105 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

Of conscious strife it nothing knew, 
In love with life the blossoms grew. 
Forgetting sleep, of other time, 
To living creep, and upward climb. 

The top to reach, then roses strew, 
Its blossoms teach the old, the true, 
That man may take the fragrant blow, 
For love's sweet sake help more to grow. 

That other vines may life renew, 
By loving signs — perceive the clue, 
When we have sown there must be rest, 
While spirit life by love is blest. 



106 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

THE JOURNEY OF LIFE. 

Rocked on billows of rolling deep, 
In cradles of time we waken to sleep, 
When souls are grown if they will sail 
On seas of truth, right will prevail. 



We should use well all that we earn, 
In schools of life where all must learn ; 
The earthly years the gift of a day, 
To shape and mould and clear the way. 



To lift the soul beyond a fall, 
Unselfish life is Spirit's call. 
From earthly birth with life roots deep, 
The soul awakes from youthful sleep. 

107 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

To conscious life, with beating heart, 

A child of God, of Him a part — 

Thus greater works than once were done, 

Are ours to do through Christ, the Son. 

«£• t3* «5* 

APOTHEGMS. 

In any world where'er we go 

We're bound to reap whate'er we sow 
What others sow, we also reap, 

In any world where'er we go. 



When growing life, makes structure fall, 
Then break no wing on prison wall. 

108 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

LET GO. 

Oh let us learn to quickly turn 

From all the things with poison stings, 

That o'er us roll, and pierce the soul — 

Let go. 



And break the bubbles of coming troubles 
That hurt and rankle, that bind and crankle, 
The things that prickle, or cut like a sickle — 

Let go. 

The world's mad rush, should call a hush, 

In overflow of gaining woe, 

Tis wise, we know, to just let go — 

Let go. 



109 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 



WINTER IN THE HEART. 

When there is winter in the heart, 
By faith, in time, it will depart, 
For March and April draweth nigh, 
And summer cometh bye and bye. 



When there is winter in the heart, 
It cannot give — and life impart, 
Then seekest thou a sunny sky 
That it may warm thee bye and bye. 



When there is winter in the heart, 
Then make a most decisive start, 
And early lay your wisest plans 
For lengthy trips to summer lands. 

110 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

A cold, bleak winter in the heart, 
Destroys the roots which try to start, 
And warns us all to stir around, 
By working, warm the cold, damp ground. 

When winter's chill has left the heart, 
No blighting frost will freeze or part 
The verdant leaves of coming spring, 
From vines that will on trestles cling. 

to* <j* t}m 

APOTHEGM. 

If we would keep, and good things reap, 
Then we must fill and firmly drill 
The best of seed in every deed. 



Ill 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

BABY CLOTHES. 

In storage rooms of deep repose 
Are shelves all rilled with baby clothes, 
Out-grown, or worn, we placed them there, 
With fingermarks of love and care. 

Complacent, we should heave no sigh, 
And peaceful be, as time goes by, 
As one by one in sweet repose, 
We lay away our baby clothes. 



112 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

HARMONY, 

When we are in Divine commune, 
Out notes will give a heavenly tune, 
And vibrate in celestial chime, 
A part of all evolving time. 

An instrument for sweetest song, 

That's made for thought, should not be wrong, 

And this is why that we should make 

Our bodies fine for Spirit's sake. 

In slums of sin there's naught but death, 
On roads of right there's life and breath 
And gifts of power for every need, 
To help us all in noble deed. 



113 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

When Sprit is in full control 
'Twill nourish man and feed the soul, 
In throes of pain he oft will groan, 
When Soul, the king, is off the throne. 

ta& t&& &5* 

APOTHEGMS. 

If doors we close, and bar the light 
Our self-made fate is dark as night 
If in faith we wait the Spirit will tell 
Of a friend we have in our dark cell. 



Love and keep the seraphs dear 
In mortal forms, of souls so near. 

114 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

STORMS OF THE SOUL. 

A dynamo that needs control 
Are forces of an untrained soul, 
Unhallowed law makes brain the seat 
Where instincts rage with furious heat. 



There burning passion will create, 
Most serious woe; unhappy state. 
From stings of pain, and weary strife, 
We all should grow a better life. 



Our wills should be to form laws higher, 
To work with God, with Him conspire; 
To mould ourselves in finest art 
From diagrams within the heart. 

115 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

A Father's love shields you and me, 
In time of now and years to be; 
Our way is long to Zion's hill, 
When we resist the Father's will. 



Enlarge His work and give it birth, 
Increase His kingdom here on earth, 
All painful law is love we hold 
To bring His child within His fold. 

^5* t^* ^5* 

APOTHEGM. 

When we lack thought the world is young 
And children born are poison stung, 
The weak ones fall in sickening throngs, 
Though some grow ripe 'midst awful wrongs. 

116 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

GRANDFATHER'S PLACE. 

Along the line of passing years, 

With joys and hopes and misty tears, 

Familiar scenes of a bygone race, 

In pictures rise from Grandfather's place. 

The girls and boys so often roam, 
With sport and noise, within this home, 
When each one moves we note the name, 
That sparkles in the hickory flame. 

The canvas now is giving cheer, 
Presenting thoughts to memory dear; 
The spinning wheel and garden hoe, 
The old-time flail, the flax and tow. 

The rake and scythe to branches cling, 
Upon the tree where grape-vines swing, 

117 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

And Grandpa twirls and whirls his cane. 
And teaches art in locust lane. 

We hear him tell how Beeze fell down, 
And threw himself on Caster town, 

While Grandmamma unwinds a roll, 
Of curdling facts, from history's scroll. 

The canvas moves, — the flowing spring,- 
And tinkling notes from memories bring, 
The cow bells' chime, and lilies blow 
In lowlands where the cat-tails grow. 

On banks of time the cowslips peep. 
And flowers of spring arise from sleep. 
The maiden-hairs with berries lie, 
In pastures green, the larks still fly. 

118 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

The old pole bars that Grandpapa made 
From saplings cut from popple shade, 
The landmarks all are sinking low, 
In memory's streams of long ago. 

Where roams old Speck with every chick, 
In clumps of grass on Willow Creek, 
(There ne'er were found where dogs would 

paw, 
The countless eggs that Grandma saw.) 

In summer days the song birds come, 
And twitter round a table crumb, 
On swaying hemp they oft prolong 
With thrilling notes a chorus song. 

The sage bush stands near peppers red, 
The lilies shade the parsnip bed, 

119 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

The south winds blow a blushing plum, 
On twining vines when bumbles hum. 

In clover fields at break of day, 

An old man works his own, slow way 

The timothy is ripe to mow, 

And ivies creep, where plum trees grow. 

Now breezes waft through osage rows, 
The fragrance of a blushing rose. 
A picket gate swings to and fro, 
But, now , we miss from long ago. 

The old log barn all chinked with hay 
Where Mulley mooed and hens would lay, 
The dear old home where flakes of snow, 
Were wont to fall on trundles low. 

120 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

They sifted in and softly crept, 
Along the bed where Grandpa slept, 
In passing years these visions rise, 
And stronger bind the olden ties. 

Unfolding scenes where Grandma knits, 
A kettle steams, a candle spits, 
And blouses hang, on the red bed post, 
The kittens pur, and apples roast. 

And chimney sweeps will sometimes start 
Beneath the roof of the old log part, 
As Grandma stirs the burning coals, 
They whirl away in shoals and shoals. 

And when she moves to turn the crane, 
All things are old that still remain, 
In picture where we ne'er efface 
The memory of our Grandsire's place. 

121 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

FAIR COLUMBIA. 

This song, locally published, now revised. Tune 
"Annie Laurie." 

Columbia's hills are bonnie 

And sparkle with the dew ; 
In our land, so fair and sunny, 

Live men both brave and true, 

Live men both brave and true, 
Who sing beneath the sky 

For our country, fair Columbia, 
We'll lay us down and die. 

With winding rivers flowing, 

And vales of emrald green; 
The fairest land worth knowing, 

The fairest ever seen. 

122 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

The fairest ever seen, 
And dark blue is her sky ; 

For our country, fair Columbia, 
We'll lay us down and die. 

Homes on her prairies lying, 

Bid welcome foreign feet; 
When our nation's flag is flying, 

We look for no defeat, 

We look for no defeat; 
We'll float our flag on high, 

For our country, fair Columbia, 
We'll lay us down and die. 

Here daughters of the Norseland 
And sons of Shamrock fame, 

May clasp our nation's hand 
In fair Columbia's name, 

123 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

In fair Columbia's name ; 
And sing her praises high, 

For our country, fair Columbia, 
We'll lay us down and die. 

From Britain's isle they're going, 
From Rhineland's tuneful strand, 

From where the Nile's now flowing 
They come from every land, 
They come from every land ; 

And may their manhood try, 
If for fairest land, Columbia, 

They'll lay them down and die. 

£& t0* c<5* 

APOTHEGM. 

We better rise and fall 
Than never rise at all. 
124 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 
THE JUDGMENT. 

Within a house we call our own, 
We write our lives, on walls of stone. 

And then we may the walls deface 
Or make them shine with love and grace. 

Sometime the work we shall behold, 

All marred with black or striped in gold. 

Of diamond dust, some may be found 
In crooked lines that there abound. 

We have within, a judgment throne, 
That we impress on walls of stone. 

Upon these walls to be discerned, 
Are all the things that we have learned. 

125 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

THE FABLE OF THE LOCUST. 

One morning fine, upon a vine, 
A locust clung and there he sung, 
A song well planned, for locust band, 
So full of cheer, and yet so queer, 
That in the cold, of dirt and mould, 
Through years and years he disappears, 
His small life spark lies in the dark; 
But in full time the life bells chime, 
The day of birth, he breaks the earth, 
And creeping out he looks about, 
As though he dreads old larva beds, 

As instinct sees his coming ease, 
No weary strife, with faith in life, 
For daily need, with extra speed, 
So, strange to tell, he bursts his shell, 
The very morn that he was born, 
126 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

By laws so fine they are Divine, 
It pleased my whim to talk with him, 
E're he joined notes with other throats, 
A kindred band from locust land. 

Repeating bars he seldom mars, 
His own commune with nature's tune, 
And oh his wings, such precious things, 
They renew his life, so rich and rife, 
Through years he slept, and then he crept, 
And when awake, good cheer would make, 
In music tell that all is well. 
He loved to fly and would spin by 
O'er rocky steep and river deep. 



127 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

When new life flows away he goes, 

But leaves behind of locust kind, 

A thousandfold in earth's black mould 

In changeful ways, in coming days, 

We all must sow, and grow and grow 

Through various scenes kind nature means 

That we should plant — through sun and storm 

We reap again another form, 

Born from the old and finer cast, 

Celestial form our home at last. 

t&& x3& to* 

APOTHEGM. 

The man who thinks beyond his race, 
Unsheathes his sword and cuts the way 

For weaker men to win a place 

And live in peace life's earthly day. 

128 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

BABY. 

A crib of chairs, to bar the stairs, 
A mother made where baby played. 

There baby prattled and boxes rattled, 
Then climbing up, would hold her cup. 

With fingers pink for " mick to drink " 
And give some to the " pitty kitty." 

Whose low, deep pur and soft white fur 
Crept through rocks of baby blocks. 

She drew the pegs from Dolly's legs, 
To find the why of Dolly's cry. 

In double pairs she piled the chairs, 
And heaped the spools upon the stools. 

129 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

Her love compelled her faithful care 
And closely held her Teddy Bear. 

She hummed a tune of sweet commune, 
In nursery rhyme and baby time. 

And played " Bopeep " till fast asleep, 
From listening long, to cricket song. 

«3» c£S J* 

APOTHEGM. 

The voice within shall make us free, 
Through laws of truth, not isms, 

When love becomes our perigee, 

It will erase our creeds and schisms. 



130 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

EVOLUTION. 

When budding life is called below, 
To God returned, the lessons learned — 

Have worth, we know. 

To live, we die; life's rivers meet 
And onward flow. The souls that grow — 
Find no defeat. 

Imperfect man, so oft beguiled, 
From paths of right should raise his light — 
God's loving child. 

In mystic land, the earth grows dim, 
Through waning lights, the spirit sights — 
The way to him. 

131 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

The Xazarene unblinded saw 
That doing right evolved the sight — 
Of higher law. 

If we but grow,, when we are ripe.. 
God's law revokes our earthly yokes — 
To new life type. 

A spark Divine within us dwells. 

To lead our souls to their fair goals — 

From earth-bound shells. 

If sin shall blight and sap life's flow, 
God's love will care and still forbear — 
And help us grow. 

The Spirit germs of Him a part, 
With light a-glow, incircling flow — 

To His great heart. 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

The Spirit's sheath aids longer life, 

From natal morn. Through earth we're 

born — 

To flower in strife. 



As winter winds and summer heat, 
Will life impart, to make the heart — 
Of acorn beat. 



In normal way, when we obey, 
We growing thrive and long survive — 
In earthly day. 



And build a holy, living form, 
From Parent Vine, Celestial Line — 

True life adorn. 

133 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

With stronger roots and less decay. 
The spirit feeds on noble deeds — 

From day to day, 

Thus every age should higher climb, 
By thoughtful mind in soul combined— 
To life sublime. 

S & & 

APOTHEGMS. 

Our failures may e'en pave the way, 

On which we rise to clearer skies. 



A wise man learns to fill the urns, 
When wisdom hurls her splendid pearls. 

134 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 



OUR PRECEDENT. 

God gave a mind to you and me, 
With power of thought to make us free. 
Through Sprit's aid and growth in grace 
We help to form a spacious place, 
And raise the torch that Wisdom sent — 
To be our precedent, 



In its clear light, by love that rules, 
Unbound by power of man-made schools, 
We truly live, if we shall sow, 
As life unfolds, by giving grow, 
Increasing light. Our Father sent — 

Our only precedent. 



135 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 



lio the soul the mind of time, 
May discord make, or sweetly chime, 
In schools of life we keep in tone 
The keys we touch, and call our own, 
These gifts of love, by wisdom lent — 

T: aid in precedent. 



They sometimes break or, straining, bend 
And nature kind will help to mend, 
While chords of gra:e assist each other, 
In tune with love, to help a brother. 
Xo gift for self is eva ent — 

By a wise pre cedent. 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 



No idols make of ages past, 
For changes will all forms recast, 
While man himself so often rakes 
The ashes o'er his own mistakes, 
As passing years have burdens sent — 

To make a precedent. 



Through restless mind create no storm, 
For selfish aim, aid no reform. 
But when thy heart hath wisdom sought, 
Then darker souls should truth be taught, 
Give them thy light, of wrong repent — 

And fear no precedent. 



137 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 



Release the mind and nobly dare 
Thyself to give, thy life to share, 
And fear no foe that slays mankind, 
That binds or chains the human mind. 
Poor, cringing man so warped and bent, 

And bound by precedent. 



Through laws of growth of life partake, 
As ice shall melt in sunrise lake. 
God help us all upon our way 
Through chilling frost to brighter day. 
He wisely gave, and loving sent — 

A holy precedent. 



138 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

RACE SUICIDE. 

The death rate of a nation is a subject for debate 
and wise legislation. But when individuals become 
excited over the alleged demise of human beings who 
have never been in existence, while they remain in- 
different to the monster sins that afflict ignorant and 
innocent humanity, to say the least, it presents an in- 
consistency or undeveloped thought, indicating that 
we are still in the childhood of national improve- 
ment. 

In 1906 three thousand wives were murdered by 
drunken husbands, twenty-three hundred children 
were crushed to death in sleep, by intoxicated moth- 
ers. The imbecile and insane are increasing with 
great rapidity, while thousands die annually for lack 
of nutritious food. One hundred and fifty thousand 
beings fill untimely graves every year through that fell 

139 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

destroyer, tuberculosis. Similar facts could be mul- 
tiplied indefinitely, but these are sufficient to arrest 
thought and cause us to inquire if it would be an act 
of greater national wisdom, to decrease the death rate 
and eliminate the prepoisoned birth rate, ere we call 
for millions more of little children to be slain beneath 
the destructive wheels of our own cars of juggernaut. 

RACE SUICIDE. 

We aim for skill in all things great, 
But seek no skill and mend too late, 
The millions born who should be free 
Fronr wrongs decreed by you or me. 

Why do we prate, and prate, and prate, 
And line with souls perdition's gate 
Where lust, and rum, and sweat-shops kill 
The human form, and human will? 

140 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

The deaf, the dumb, the halt, the blind, 
Are bound by thongs of every kind, 
While minds insane now overflow, 
With scourging laws, that man should know. 

When fools perpetuate their kind 
We reap a crop of weakened mind, 
For deeds of vice and folly bring 
The thistle with its savage sting. 

When sparks of God are brought to earth, 
In thoughtless slums, by mortal birth, 
Then children born to prison fate, 
Are bound in chains most desolate. 

That race is weak in brawn and brain, 
When seeds are sown that spoil the grain, 

141 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

A thoughtless act, though poison slow, 
Will cloud the world with human woe. 

In vortex moulds, unthinking hurled, 
Are mortals born in this earth world. 
Though jungle men, if wiser taught, 
Could lift the scales of human thought. 

When germs of life, on finding birth, 
Are scarred by things most foul on earth, 
Then souls are numbed by carnal sense, 
Or quickly clothed in graveclothes dense. 

A savage greed fits swine in pen, 
But it destroys the homes of men, 
And thoughtless stings with awful power, 
The nation in conception's hour. 

142 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

When man is born in cells of grief, 
Through carnal mind for pleasure brief, 
A selfish thought is then ensouled, 
When holy love should fill the mould. 

It is sad shame to place self gain, 
Above an age, an age of pain, 
Disease, a bud ere it finds place, 
To win its way in life's long race. 

We raise the grade of stock, but call 
To life, by chance, the children all 
And open throw the slums of hate, 
Insane with lust at passion's gate. 

And up we pile the funeral pyres 
With human forms, unholy fires, 

143 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

While spirits in unfitting moulds, 
Unclasp, by death, their prison holds. 

In sin and crime we pay the cost, 
Unnumbered births by death are lost, 
That should have been so bred by thought, 
That hope, and joy, and love were wrought. 

Unhallowed births in filling space, 
The daggers drive, that kill our race, 
And while we sing some soothing song, 
For children slain, the bells toll long. 

Oh, Father, in this awful blight, 
Anoint our eyes and give us light, 
Unclasp our souls, that they may tell, 
Escaping ways from self-made hell. 

144 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

Monastic rules we do not plead, 
But voice to all the world's great need, 
For laws of birth more truly just, 
Controlled by thought, and not by lust. 

'Tis all so dark, and folly gains 
In laws of sex, when silence reigns; 
Oh help our need, and light the way 
That we may learn, in wisdom pray. 

We should not spread unholy deeds 
By breeding vile and foulsome seeds, 
In sowing sin, and weakened wills 
We so disgrace God's wonder mills. 

Our forms should be by wisdom given, 
That Spirit power, not passion driven 

145 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

Could build for self a glorious morn 
And bless the millions yet unborn. 

In earthly moulds for being blessed, 
The Spirit seed by law is pressed, 
And noble man should help to shape 
An angle fit, for God's estate. 

The Spirit thought, from higher mind 
Could purify the lower kind, 
And we be more regenerate made 
By holy love in accolade. 

In bonds of love from mind to mind 
We brothers are, who love our kind, 
And wise are we when this we know 
We reap the crop that all men sow. 

146 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

That age is dark that breeds its kin, 
In tides of lust and volts of sin, 
With little thought to save the race, 
In giving life by laws of grace. 

The time will come when men shall know 
That Hades reigns in worlds below, 
When stormy passions, most intense, 
Are not controlled by Spirit sense. 

We drift along till strength is shorn, 
So weak and weary, sad and torn, 
Until at last kind reason brings, 
The torch of faith to light all things. 

A noble name, some future sage 
May carve for us on history's page; 

147 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

That time will be when earth man dares 
To sow pure seed unmixed with tares. 

When trained through years of kindly thought 
In wisdom's ways shall we be taught. 
Relieved from swaddling clothes of shame, 
A light with love from whence we came. 

A power Divine calls man from lust, 
To help him build, be kind and just, 
Perfect the work when life we give, 
That spirit man may better live. 

Inherent woe will still its strife, 
When man shall live the higher life, 
And earth and heaven shall reap the glow, 
As Parent-like God's children grow. 

148 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

APOTHEGMS. 

We backward turn and sometimes learn 
We should not grieve, but help receive. 



When we plant seeds of noble deeds, 
We shall partake of things we make. 



Dear Father above, Thy libations of love 
In waves o'er us roll, to cleanse the soul. 



In ceaseless rounds of hurry, in useless jars of 

worry, 
Take time in hours of need, to do the kindly deed. 

149 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 



A STUDY FROM NATURE. 

Go where — 

Unfolding leaves hear Nature's call, 
To heal the wounds where branches fall, 
When drifting snow in silent gloom 
Is feeding life, that flowers may bloom. — 

Go there. 

Go where — 

The v cactus thrives on sandy plains 
Like thistle weeds; it spreading gains, 
No value known, till Burbank's plan 
Revealed its use for unwise man, — 

Go there. 



150 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

Go where — 

Decaying punk illumes the night, 
For insect homes, with mellow light, 
There feathered ferns in beauty hide, 
The nestling birds that near them glide, — 

Go there. 

Go where — 

A pleasing thought from woodland wren 
May bring to mind a forest glen, 
Where vision fair in thought unfurls 
The sweetest songs from tuneful merles, — 

Go there. 

Go where — 

The birds may hide in mossy ledge, 

From sun and storm, where nature's pledge, 

Of ample store and tender care, 

May find her own, her love to share, — 

Go there. 
151 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

Go where — 

The willows weep and waving sway, 
The soldier's red; some summer day 
And lilies blue, unstained by toil, 
With cowslips bloom, on lowland soil. — 

Go there. 

Go where — 

The beating storms on mountains clash 

And thunders peal, and lightnings flash, 

Where torrents gorge, and waters flow, 

To float our ships to Mexico, — 

Go there. 

Go where — 

The boiling geysers steam and roar, 
Below the earth ; then foaming pour 
O'er lava beds and craters old, 

A million lessons yet untold, — 

Go there. 
152 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

Go where — 

Kind nature forms a lovely curl 
To heal the wound in oyster pearl, 
Where grief and care have helped to bring, 
And crown through pain some soul a king, — 

Go there. 

Go where — 

Our Father's love enduring dwells, 
His own dear voice in silence tells, 
Where springs of life forever flow, 
To quench our thirst and heal our woe, — 

Go there. 

t^w <^» ^* 

APOTHEGM. 

For coral beds we hope; and seek 
In waters broad and oceans deep. 

153 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

THE OLD AXD XEW. 

The M isms " old we oft forsake. 
As thought waves o'er the waters break, 
And foaming caps in beaut}- burst, 
Inviting us to quench our thirst. 

Beneath the currents' tidal swell. 
The waves of thought, in coming tell, 
That truth alone., in holy birth. 
May come to men while yet on earth. 

The veins of mind with thought were filled, 
While victims fell and blood was spilled, 
Through many years our thinking brought, 
A widening of our channel's thought. 

Dear friends were they, our pains to share, 
To help us up a golden stair, 

154 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

Where we might see a beacon light, 
Revealing a much broader sight. 

Our lessons we must oft repeat, 
To help us win a higher seat, 
Where stars of truth have ever shone 
To light the path we make our own. 

Through years of grief and long drawn pain, 
We sink to rise and build again, 
And thus have we increased our ken, 
Since we began as primate men. 

As pass the creeds of darkened days, 
Unbinding men from slavish ways, 
We hear the bells in softer chimes 
As they ring out the olden times. 

155 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

When new thoughts come, and old ones crash 
In storms that roar, the lightning's flash 
Reveals to us that he who grieves, 
May welcome yet the harvest sheaves. 

%a* v& t&* 

APOTHEGMS. 

We should enlarge our mental barge 
By precepts caught on seas of thought. 

The wrong corrupts, kills or instructs. 

In clay beds lie the diamonds high. 

Upon the shore the billows roar, 
But fathoms deep the waters sleep. 

156 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

APOTHEGMS. 

New life will flow, with after glow 
To all who sow. 

Discard the stings, of trifling things, 
That so entangle, grow and wrangle, 



Mankind is in the grinding mills, 
Of growing pain's expression, 

While truth the inmost being fills, 
Expanding in progression. 

If man would have a surface flow 
Of thought, from waters deep, 

He must control the undertow, 
For waves that whirl and leap, 

Hold precious gems, his soul would keep. 
157 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

APOTHEGMS. 

In our Father's keep are diamonds deep. 



No single bound can win much ground, 
But keeping time with nature's chime, 
We sections hold in lands of gold. 



Oh ! speed away from old doomsday 
When troubles weight the mortal clay, 
With open sight, perceive the light. 



Our embers die, unless we send 
The life in us, and giving lend 
To other souls, all being blend. 

158 



RAYS OF THOUGHT 

APOTHEGMS. 

By growth each day, the spirit's birth, 
By higher laws, wins man from earth. 

Thoughts like shifting clouds, 
That float away, return with more, 
Some other day. 

Ye know that death is on the way, 
So speed thy work while yet 'tis day. 

The Father gives His child of love, 
His own hard work below, above. 

Should man be weak, afraid to speak, 
Refuse to light his own dark night. 

159 



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